The meeting was run by planning consultant Ian Sinclair to gauge the interest of the community about what they would like their town to be like in the coming years.

Mr Sinclair was hired by the council to develop a strategy for the shire including a land and environment plan.

Participants at the meeting were asked what services or facilities were needed in town, future land uses, what sort of place should the town by in 10 to 20 years and if there were any economic and environmental issues that needed to be addressed.

There was a wide range of responses to the questions but most agreed more support was needed for the opal industry because it was the dominant industry in Lightning Ridge, and second to that was better promotion of tourism in the area.

Services and facilities for youth were a major concern, including the creation of a skate park and BMX tracks, which were thought to help in the reduction of crime and vandalism.

Many people also raised the issue of the need for low cost housing and the opening up of more residential blocks.

The conservation of old-style mining camps and the heritage of the mining fields was suggested as a way to keep the character of the town.

Creating most division among some at the meeting was whether to connect power and water to camps on claims.

Some claimed giving camps those services would help lift Lightning Ridge from being the third most disadvantaged community in NSW, but others maintained connected the camps was not a feasible option.

The responses by the participants will be put in a report and be included in a planning strategy for the shire.